Traverse across the grand wilderness of China before a magical exploration of Tibet

Enjoy a rail tour with a difference traversing across the grand
wilderness of China through stunning scenery and ancient cities
before offering a magical exploration of Tibet, known
affectionately as the Roof of the World, and home to more Himalayan
peaks than anywhere else.

China & Tibet Discovery 2019Tour Details

Urumqi

After your overnight flight you are met upon arrival in Urumqi
on Day 2 and are transferred to the Sheraton
Urumqi hotel. This evening we will enjoy a Welcome
Dinner.

On Day 3 we visit the renowned
Provincial Museum in Urumqi, famous for having the artefacts and
mummies of Caucasians who lived in the region between 1,500 and
4,000 years ago; There is also a fine collection of silk articles
and other artefacts from various eras of history, as well as
written materials in different languages. What most people come to
see are the mummies and their artefacts and they are unusually well
preserved. Until two decades ago, this culture was hardly known to
historians and archaeologists, and their history and origins remain
much of a mystery. The Xinjiang Autonomous Regional Museum houses
the mummies and their artefacts that are some of the most
significant archaeological discoveries in a hundred years and it is
an excellent place to learn the history of this region.

Kashgar

Today we will visit the Old City of Kashgar, with a history of
more than 2,000 years. Uygur people have lived here for generations
carving out a splendid society in the process. Kashgar old city was
the renowned centre at the crossroads of the Southern and Middle
Silk Roads in the past. Today, Kashgar Old City is still a cradle
of culture, a burning torch to the memories of the past and is
without doubt a step-back into the past in which you are a living
part. Tonight, we stay for one night at the five-star Radisson Blu
Hotel Kashgar.

Day 4 begins with Kashgar Sunday Bazaar.
Its very remoteness is what makes the market so extraordinary;
partly due to the exoticism of the produce for sale, partly because
it is the only real place to shop in an area the size of western
Europe. The population of Kashgar is reputedly swelled by 100,000
every Sunday for this market, but due to the difficulties of
getting there, only a small fraction of these visitors are
foreigners and therefore offers very much a unique experience on
our journey.

Turpan

Turpan is the location where the Flaming Mountains create a
magnificent backdrop. First, we visit Jiaohe Ancient City which is
one of the best preserved ancient cities in China, the ruins of the
buildings are divided into temples, civilian dwellings and
government offices, workshops and residential houses in the streets
are still visible and time there is time spent in a world long
disappeared.

In the afternoon, we take a fascinating tour to the world famous
ancient underground irrigation system at Karez that has
successfully fed the rich orchards and vineyards for centuries; The
system is considered as one of the three great projects in China
with the other two being the Great Wall and the Grand Canal.

Then we will have a Uygur Family Visit where we will enjoy the
traditional Uygur ethnic dancing and local snacks, experiencing
real life and culture.

Dunhuang

This morning we will explorer the vast natural beauty of the
Sand Dunes by camel, where we will discover Crescent Lake, hidden
amongst the towering sand dunes and has sustained life in this
region for millennia.

In the small oasis city of Dunhuang we will visit the
fascination Magao Thousand Buddha Cave Complex. This impressive
site contains almost 500 grottoes, carved between 700 and 1,700
years ago. Inside we will see an amazing collection of beautiful
sculptures and murals depicting the evolution of Buddhist religious
art over 1,000 years.

Jiayuguan

Today in Jiayugaun we visit the first pass at the west end of
the Great Wall of China, the Jiayuguan Pass. Along with
Shanhaiguan, it is one of the largest and most intact passes of the
Great Wall. It was an important military fortress and also a vital
traffic fort along the Silk Road, the world's oldest trading route,
connecting China, Central Asia and Europe. Standing in the endless
desert with rolling mountains as its backdrop, this isolated pass
will take you back to the desolation and loneliness of frontier
life in ancient times.

After lunch we head for the Overhanging Great Wall, which was
constructed in the year of 1539 during the Ming Dynasty
(1368-1644). The wall was built in order to support the already
existing Jiayuguan Fort which held a key role in the defence
mechanism of the area around Jiayuguan. Parts of the wall are steep
so for those who do make it to the top will enjoy a bird's eye view
of endless Gobi Desert, a couple of oases and snow-capped mountains
seen from a great distance.

Xining

Today we explore this historic and multi-ethnic region which is
home to an incredible 37 different nationalities. Located on the
eastern edge of Qinghai Province, Xining's history can be traced
back 2,100 years to anquity. Here we will experience some of the
distinctive traditions and customs of this region.

We set out from our train this morning stopping first at the
Buddhist Kumbum (Ta'er) Monastery. Kumbum was founded in 1583 in a
narrow valley close to the village of Lusar in the Tibetan cultural
region of Amdo. In the afternoon we will visit the Shuijingxiang
Market. At the entrance of two intersecting alleys, each more than
1,100 metres long are more than 3,000 fixed stalls. The market has
everything from food and drink to articles for daily use. You can
not only find lotus roots and wild rice stems, which are products
of Southern China but also seafood from the coast.

Qinghai-Tibet Railway

An early morning start at Golmud today as we board the
high-altitude train (where we have reserved seats) that will take
us on an extraordinary and unforgettable 14-hour daylight journey
along the 1,142km 'Roof of the World' line to Lhasa, cresting the
16,640ft (5,072m) Tangula Pass. This is the world's highest railway
pass, reaching an unbelievable 3 miles (5km) above sea level. Due
to the high altitude, supplementary oxygen is pumped in through the
ventilation system. Personal oxygen masks are available if
required.

Guests are met upon arrival in Lhasa and are transferred to the
centrally located luxurious five-star The St Regis Lhasa Resort for
a three-night stay.Located in the eastern part of Lhasa, The St.
Regis Lhasa Resort is this unique city's most coveted address
conveniently located in the famed Barkhor area. The sweeping
landscapes surrounding this exclusive resort provide a timeless,
inviting setting for contemplation as well as exploration. The St.
Regis Lhasa Resort faces the World Heritage Site, the Potala
Palace, once the chief residence of the Dalai Lama. A mere six
minutes by car from the resort, the palace has been converted into
a museum. Jokhang Temple, another iconic structure and Norbulingka,
the Dalai Lama's former Summer Palace, are also close by.

Lhasa

Lhasa is located in a small basin surrounded by mountains, and
it literally means 'place of the gods'. At an altitude of around
11,975ft (3,650m) it is one of the highest cities in the world; it
is also the traditional seat of the Dalai Lama and the holiest
centre of Tibet with over a thousand years of cultural and
spiritual history. Today we visit Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's
Summer Palace, it was built in the 1740's as a retreat from which
to escape the heat of the summer. Meaning either 'jewel garden' or
'precious garden' it is still a tranquil haven from the noise of
the city and a wonderful place to explore. There will also be free
time to wander through Lhasa and soak up the atmosphere of this
picturesque city.

On Day 12 your second full day here, we visit
the 13th century Jokhang Temple, Tibet's holiest shrine and the
spiritual home for almost all Tibetans. Next we explore the
adjacent Barkhor market, the oldest market in the capital and a
well-trodden route for the many pilgrims who make their way to the
temple. A local lunch is accompanied by traditional folk music.

This afternoon we visit the 17th century Potala Palace, former
seat of the Tibetan Government and the Dalai Lama's winter
residence before he fled to India in 1959. It contains thousands of
rooms, dominates the city skyline. Perched upon Marpo Ri hill, 130
meters above the Lhasa valley, the Potala Palace rises a further
170 metres, is the greatest monumental structure in Tibet and one
of the architectural wonders of the world. Tonight we will enjoy a
farewell dinner.

After breakfast in the hotel on Day
13 head to the airport for your overnight flight
back to London arriving on Day 14.